Middle-of-the-roader Gregg Easterbrook finally concedes on climate change, after–as he admits– dragging his feet for years (via SmogBlog). He announces to the world what has been obvious for years, which is that "the research is in."
Then, having claimed the high ground at the last possible moment, Easterbrook leaps on Al Gore for not being environmental enough in his documentary on climate change. He criticizes him for not demanding more sacrifices from his audiences, and for taking airplanes and for using a laptop! (As if Brookings Institute associate such as Easterbrook had never done the like!)
In Slate, he snaps:
If "really changing our way of life" is imperative, what’s Gore doing getting on a jetliner? Jets number among the most resource-intensive objects in the world.
In a similar tactic, the same ExxonMobil-funded Competitive Enterprise Institute has ads running (on the web, at least) that show Gore flying around the country. The ad implicitly charges Gore with hypocrisy, and tells him to follow his own advice to:
a) Telecommute from home.
b) Reduce air travel.
Gore not enviro enough! This is delicious.
What’s next?
First Gore’s mocked because he cares about the issue: "Ozone Man," as Bush Sr. called him. (Getting the facts wrong, as seems to be the usual case with the Bush family.)
Then he’s mocked for being stiff, then he’s mocked for lying, then he’s mocked for wearing a beard.
Now they say he hasn’t done enough for climate change. Plus, he’s traveled around the country, trying to show people why they should care about preserving their planet!
The guy’s an obvious menace. To somebody…
Kit Stolz 